'No showdown' with new tourism NPO

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - In response to last week's article in the Knysna-Plett Herald on the challenges facing Plettenberg Bay's tourism entities titled 'Special meeting to thrash out Plett's tourism future', Patty Butterworth, CEO of Plett Tourism, denied there is a "showdown" with the new tourism structure.

Butterworth said the "individual in question with the new NPO does not have a mandate with any municipal, provincial or national governing body", with reference to Paul Duverge of the Plettenberg Bay Tourism Board.

She added that the existing Plett Tourism Association is the officially appointed local tourism operator (LTO) and has a direct mandate with the Bitou Municipality to perform the tourism function.

Plett Tourism is also "recognised by the Garden Route District Municipality Tourism & LED Department as the appointed LTO and is also recognised as such by Wesgro and the Western Cape Department of Tourism."

Butterworth said last week's Section 80 meeting was not called by the Strategic Services, it was called by the Municipal Manager's office.

However, Mbulelo Memani – Bitou MM – confirmed in writing to the KPH before the article was published that he did not call the meeting, but that it was the initiative of the Strategic Services portfolio.

She said comments on the Association did not include "information which would have added value and credibility… in relation to the contribution that the Plett Tourism Association and the Bitou Municipality have made to the tourism and travel trade industry".

"The Plett Tourism Association is appreciative of all businesses in Plett that take initiatives with tourism and travel professionals but information regarding such initiatives needs to be accurate and placed in context," Butterworth added.

"The recent event at Sky Villa is presented in such a way as to make such an event appear as a novel type of initiative whereas, in fact, Plett Tourism has long hosted such events. In fact, 18 educationals with site inspections and itineraries for travel professionals were held between the months of July 2021 - June 2022 and we have already hosted three educationals for this financial year during the months of August and September.

"These were all professionally organised in conjunction with both the private and government tourism sectors and very well attended," she said.

'Don't require their approval'

"For the Plett Tourism Association to cast Plettenberg Bay Tourism, a registered entity, as a body without standing is disingenuous. It disregards and looks down on any initiative that does not carry their stamp of approval," said Paul Duverge, Managing Director of Raw Africa, who is also founder of Plettenberg Bay Tourism.

"As a Section 21 Not For Profit company, we are not required to get their approval. Also, they are constantly sending out 'urgent and important communication' to their databases, emails and WhatsApp groups trying everything to discredit Plettenberg Bay Tourism.

"There are many people and businesses outside the 'establishment' fold of PT who will disagree with their criticism of Plettenberg Bay Tourism." He said many individuals are unhappy with the way money is being spent. "The PT claims to open its books to any member requesting such information.

"As a paid-up member of PT I have requested detailed financials on multiple occasions, but keep being shoved from pillar to post. Attempts to solve the issues between us with a suggestion from our side to consider an umbrella tourism body for the Bitou Municipality has also received no response from PT," concluded Duverge.

Paul Duverge